this is my first post here, so please forgive if it appears ill-informed

a friend mentioned recently that certain teeth (lateral incisors I think) are found to be less essential in the course of the evolution and thus changing their shape. Im interested in whether this is true or not, but also it leads me to a more general question- whether there are difference between individuals or cultures in evolutionary advancement (e.g. have some people have lateral incisors already modified and so genetically superseding those who dont)?

Hello unpronounsable,Aren't you sure which teeth? The lateral incisors are about the least important teeth in the dentition of any animal, therefore, they may well be subject to more rapid changes than the more important teeth. In many children now, they grow displaced and protrude at an angle. This is why so many chldren are now wearing braces.

animartco wrote:Hello unpronounsable,Aren't you sure which teeth? The lateral incisors are about the least important teeth in the dentition of any animal, therefore, they may well be subject to more rapid changes than the more important teeth. I think it is these teeth that grow displaced and protrude at an angle, which is why so many chldren are now wearing braces.

Adendum The human jaw of course is shrinking. This is why wisdom teeth frequently have to be removed. But nature seems to think it would be more useful to remove the lateral incisors- ( perhaps at the milk tooth stage, to allow the jaw to make room for the much more useful 'wisdom' molars?) just a thought.